5: Los Angeles is situated in Southern California,

9: on the West Coast of the USA. Home to 18 million people,

13: Los Angeles is a collection of distinct cities that rolls out

17: from the dry Santa Monica Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.

21: L.A.'s sunshine, her entertainment industry and her openness to newcomers and new ideas

29: has made the city a magnet to dreamers.

32: Many of those whose dreams become reality,

34: like Walt Disney and John Paul Getty, poured their wealth back into the city,

38: helping make L.A. one of the great culture capitals of the world.

47: Downtown Los Angeles is a center of global business

50: and home to some of the finest examples of American civic architecture.

55: It's also the birthplace of the city.

58: Wander down Olvera Street, one of the oldest surviving areas in L.A.,

62: to experience the colors and tastes of Old Mexico.

68: Just across the road from Olvera Street is Union Station,

71: one of the world's great railway stations.

75: You'll be forgiven if you experience a sense of déjà vu here;

78: Union Station has been featured in almost 30 big-budget movies,

82: including Pearl Harbor and Blade Runner.

89: Stroll south to Little Tokyo, or J-Town as the locals know it,

93: which is home to Buddhist temples, galleries and museums.

97: While you're there, why not try some super-fresh sushi?

101: After all, the California Roll was invented right here!

106: Half a mile to the west is the Walt Disney Music Hall.

112: Looking like pieces of sheet music thrown to the wind, this stainless steel wonder

117: is home to L.A.'s Philharmonic Orchestra.

124: Hail a taxi for the short ride west to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

128: The one-hundred-thousand-piece collection at LACMA houses works that span the ages,

133: from the classical periods through the edgiest street art.

140: Right next door is a very different kind of gallery.

143: At the La Brea Tar Pits and George C. Page Museum,

146: remains of incredibly preserved mammals, insects and plants

150: are continually excavated and brought once more into the Californian sunshine.

159: Heading further west, along Wilshire Boulevard,

161: the aroma changes from the smell of tar pits, to $ mon-neeey $

168: Welcome to Rodeo Drive, in the heart of Beverly Hills.

172: This is the world's most expensive and exclusive three blocks of shopping.

176: But you don't have to be a star to enjoy Rodeo Drive;

180: most folks are content to window shop.

186: But there's more to Beverly Hills than just bling!

189: Only a street or two away awaits a world of leafy boulevards

194: and incredible homes and gardens.

200: Head north to Hollywood, the epicenter of the world's entertainment industry.

206: Track down your favorite star on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame,

209: and catch a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theater,

212: the most famous first-run movie theater in the world.

220: Take a walk on the wilder side of L.A.,

223: to West Hollywood. WeHo is a haven for artists and designers.

230: As evening falls, boogie on down to Sunset Strip,

234: home to iconic clubs such as The Viper Room and the Whiskey a Go Go.

240: ? Boogie On Down ?

249: Griffith Park is the largest and wildest urban park in America.

253: Here, perched high on the slopes of Mount Hollywood,

257: and offering superb views of L.A., you'll find the Griffith Observatory.

262: Built on land donated by mining magnate Griffith J. Griffith,

265: admission to the main building and grounds is still free of charge,

269: according to his wishes.

272: Universal Studios is the oldest continually running movie studio in America.

279: It features a theme park based around its blockbuster movies and popular TV shows,

285: however the star attraction is the studio tour,

288: which winds its way through acres of sound stages and back lots.

293: And if you have that sense of déjà vu again, it's no wonder -

296: some of the sets have been featured in dozens of movies and are still in use today.

304: 20 miles southeast of downtown is Knott's Berry Farm.

310: Originally a berry farm in the 1930's, this theme park has grown into a family favorite

315: with child-friendly rides, short queues and offers a real taste

320: of America’s pioneering heritage.

327: Just down the road, in Anaheim, is Disneyland Park.

330: Since its opening in 1955 over 600 million guests have delighted

335: in seeing Disney’s much-loved characters brought to life.

342: The Port of Los Angeles, the biggest container port in the USA,

346: sits on San Pedro Bay.

349: Climb aboard the USS Iowa, a World War II battleship

353: which saw service in some of the most dramatic episodes in world history.

362: Nearby at the Aquarium of the Pacific, 500 marine species sway, swirl and dive

368: through the various marine systems of the vast Pacific,

371: from the sun-drenched coast of Baja to the frigid waters of the Arctic.

380: Long Beach was once the birthplace of California's surfing scene,

385: but a breakwater has now tamed the wild waves,

388: making the beach an ideal destination for families.

393: From Long Beach, hop aboard a ferry, and take a one-hour trip to Catalina Island.

399: Once the home of otter hunters, smugglers and gold prospectors,

403: these days day-trippers and weekenders are far more interested

407: in working on their golden tans and escaping the frantic pace of the mainland.

416: Heading west from L.A., Santa Monica is one of the most popular resort towns in the US.

423: Santa Monica epitomizes the California lifestyle of sun,

427: sand and the body beautiful! And right at her heart is her iconic pier.

436: Things get a little funkier just down the coast at Venice Beach.

440: Long the center of L.A.'s counterculture,

443: Venice is more than just a beach, however.

447: The main attraction here is the promenade.

450: So pull on your in-line skates and join the colorful and sometimes bizarre human parade.

460: After the craziness of Venice Beach, head 5 miles north to the tranquility

464: of the Santa Monica Mountains.

467: The Getty Center houses the extraordinary art collection of billionaire John Paul Getty.

476: Water features prominently throughout the complex,

479: encouraging quiet reflection.

483: Hire a convertible and follow the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu;

488: 21 miles of prime Californian coastline scented with salt and coastal sage.

495: Many of L.A.'s stars live in homes

497: that cling to these dramatic hillsides by the Pacific,

501: which is the perfect metaphor for L.A..

503: A city built on an unshakable optimism and a devotion to creation -

509: both human and natural.

514: Welcome to the City of Angels?